It’s scrumptious, delicious, and very filling. It’s the perfect low-carb and keto substitute for loaded mashed potatoes. It’s no wonder I have so many cauliflower recipes on this blog! It’s such a tasty and versatile vegetable. Mashed cauliflower is especially delicious and surprisingly similar to mashed potatoes. This makes it an ideal low-carb and keto substitute. Topping the mashed cauliflower with bacon and cheese makes it even better. But hey, bacon and cheese make everything better! 🥓🧀
Ingredients
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make loaded mashed cauliflower. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need: Butter: I use unsalted butter. I especially like creamy European butter, but any butter will be great. Minced garlic: Mince it yourself, or use the stuff that comes in a jar. Both work equally well. Garlic powder works too - I would use ½ teaspoon in this recipe. Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use or the mash could end up too salty. Bacon: You can cook it yourself or use precooked bacon or even bacon bits (I like the ones by Wellshire farms). Cauliflower: It’s probably best to use fresh cauliflower in this recipe. I don’t think frozen will be as good. Shredded cheddar: Sharp cheddar is so flavorful. Sometimes I even use extra-sharp cheddar. Chives or parsley for garnish: Not mandatory, but without it, the dish looks kind of brownish… so while I mostly use these herbs for garnish, I do recommend including them. The chives do enhance the flavor as well.
Instructions
It’s easy to make loaded mashed cauliflower, although this recipe does have a few steps. The detailed instructions are listed in the recipe card below. Here are the basic steps: Cook the bacon. First, you need to cook and crumble the bacon. You can cook it on the stovetop, or you can make oven bacon or microwave bacon. When I’m feeling especially lazy, I use precooked bacon by Wellshire farms. Cook and mash the cauliflower. Microwave the cauliflower and mash it with butter and spices. You can also steam the microwave if you wish. But the microwave is fast and convenient. Assemble the dish and bake. Layer everything in a casserole dish - cauliflower, bacon, and cheese- and bake until hot and bubbly. This should take a mere 5 minutes in a 400°F oven.
Expert tip
Mashed cauliflower lacks starch, so it’s not as thick as mashed potatoes, although it’s definitely rich and creamy. One way to thicken it is to add ¼ cup of dry-grated parmesan cheese with the other ingredients that you place in the food processor. The parmesan acts as a pretty powerful thickener.
Frequently asked questions
Serving suggestions
While this is a very versatile side dish that can be served with pretty much anything, this is a very rich one. So to balance it out, I usually serve it with simple, lean main courses such as:
Baked chicken breastOven chicken kabobsRoasted pork tenderloinPan-seared pork medallions
Storing leftovers
Leftovers keep well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. The bacon does lose its crispiness, but the dish is still very rich and flavorful. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave, covered, on 50% power.
Related recipes
It’s no wonder cauliflower is such a hit in the low-carb world. It’s extremely versatile, and it makes a wonderful substitute for potatoes and even for bread. A few great examples in addition to this tasty recipe: 👩🏻🍳 I typically publish a new or an updated recipe once a week. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe! You can unsubscribe at any time.
Recipe card
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